Closomat delivers enhanced accessibility for Lost Gardens of Heligan

28 Aug 2018

Closomat has recently supplied and installed a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet facility for one of the UK’s most popular botanical gardens, the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

The Lost Gardens’ Changing Places features a ceiling track hoist and mobile height adjustable adult sized changing bench, as well as the usual fixtured of a wheelchair-accessible toilet. The facility also offers some extra space on top of what is required under British Standards (BS8300:2018) to ensure maximum independency for those who require it.

Sian Heason, Heligan Visitor Serviced Manager explains: “We want to make Heligan as accessible as possible, and hopefully lead by example, so there was never a decision to be made as to whether we would install a Changing Places. The nature of Heligan, with its geography and historic buildings, means there are elements that we will always struggle to make accessible, but we could do this.”

The addition of a Changing Places facility enables the venue to offer maximum accessibility on top of the existing free wheelchair hire, mobility scooters and free entry to personal assistants/carers.

Adds Kelvin Grimes, Closomat away from home project manager, “The perception is that wheelchair- accessible toilets meet the need, but a large number of the 20% of the UK population registered disabled can’t use those facilities: they need more space, and/or extra equipment.

“Providing appropriate toilets, such as Changing Places, means those people who need help CAN now visit a venue. The increase in visitor numbers is not just the person who needs the enhanced toilets, but their carer(s), and often friends, families too.”